Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of failing to uphold Islamic values and warned that those who label the party as Islamic are living in a “fool’s paradise”.
Speaking at an election rally at Jhalakathi central Eidgah ground on Thursday, Rezaul Karim, widely known as Charmonai Pir, said Islami Andolan has unveiled its manifesto, promising to govern the country based on Islamic ideology.
“Jamaat and other parties have also published manifestos, but Jamaat has not spoken about Islam anywhere,” he said. “If anyone still calls Jamaat an Islamic party, I would say they live in a fool’s paradise.”
Recounting the events following the 5 August, 2024 uprising, the Charmonai Pir said Islami Andolan initially received support from several Islamic parties.
“Some parties joined us on the way, including Jamaat, when they saw nationwide solidarity for our cause. But instead of patriots and Islam lovers, power seekers attacked us,” he claimed.
He also criticised the government, saying Bangladesh has become a “champion of corruption” over the past 54 years. “Thousands of millions of funds have been illegally transferred abroad, and the notorious Begum Para has been built overseas,” he alleged.
Targeting Jamaat, he said, “There is no other organisation in the world as deceitful as Jamaat.”
The Charmonai Pir emphasised that Bangladesh is a country of scholars and religious leaders, and that Islam will remain an integral part of the nation.
“We thought we were alone, but we are not. Allah is with us, scholars are with us, patriots are with us, and Islam lovers are with us,” he said.
The rally was presided over by Hafiz Alamgir Hossain, president of Islami Andolan’s Jhalakathi district unit. Special guests included Ashraf Ali Akon, presidium member of Islami Andolan’s central committee, and parliamentary candidates Maulana Sirajul Islam Siraji (Jhalakathi-2) and Maulana Ibrahim Al Hadi (Jhalakathi-1).
